OUR OPINION: On D-Day, share the stories of the greatest generation

We must honor all of those who served our country so well during the dark days of World War II when victory wasn't certain, though courage and determination were.

The Enterprise

Today, the 70th anniversary of the Allies storming the beaches of Normandy, we pause to remember the great men and women who fought in World War II and aided our service members in the greatest battle of the 20th century. There’s little that can be said to soften the edges of war, but our coverage brings you personal accounts of the immediacy of that historic day and the perspective afforded by time.

You won’t read a more humble yet lively story of the landing than that of Plymouth’s own Antonio (Tom) Ruggiero. He enlisted in the US Army after he tried the Marines and was told to go home and stretch a little (he was only five-foot-three). On June 6, 1944, he found himself off the coast of France, dumped in the water, dodging bullets and then later climbing the cliffs at Pointe-du-Hoca using a rope made in his hometown, thousands of miles away. His good will and spunk knew no bounds.

Sherwin Grannum’s story is as inspirational. The Middleboro man began D-Day as part of a decoy invasion fleet. He arrived just after the fighting, but still witnessed the carnage of combat. But once things settled down, Grannum did what he does best – lifted people’s spirits by playing his trumpet.

As part of the all-black 5-0 Deuce Band, the name of his outfit, Grannum and his band performed right on the beach one night.

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We also bring you what may be the most gripping account of the aftermath of D-Day by the famed World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle. It’s achingly beautiful description of the wrack line left on those beaches is like no other. We urge you to visit our website to read still more D-Day columns from Pyle and to visit the Ernie Pyle Museum at erniepyle.org.

We must honor all of those who served our country so well during the dark days of WWII when victory wasn’t certain, though courage and determination were. Whether it be via social media or by clipping your newspaper, we ask that you share these stories with family and friends. The accomplishments of the Greatest Generation deserve to be told.

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